Ampule shield

Abstract

An ampule shield has a center tube with an upper end, and an outer tube extending coaxially with the center tube and attached to the center tube below the upper end of the center tube. The outer tube extends some distance beyond a lower end of the center tube. The outer tube is spaced from the center tube to provide a cylindrical space within the shield for receiving an ampule. A removable cap for attachment to a bottom of the outer tube is provided.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. An ampule shield comprising: a center tube having an upper end portion;   an outer tube extending coaxially with and attached to the center tube some distance from the upper end portion of the center tube, and extending some distance beyond a lower end of the center tube, the outer tube being spaced from the center tube to provide a cylindrical space within the shield for receiving an ampule; and   a removable cap for attachment to a bottom of the outer tube.   
     
     
       2. An ampule shield according to claim 1, wherein an interior wall of the outer tube is inwardly tapered at an upper end to fit an ampule when disposed in the shield. 
     
     
       3. An ampule shield according to claim 1, wherein the cap includes a raised central portion for resting against an ampule bottom when disposed in the shield. 
     
     
       4. An ampule shield according to claim 3, wherein the raised portion is in the shape of a cross. 
     
     
       5. An ampule shield according to claim 1, wherein a standard male luer fitting is provided at the upper end portion thereof. 
     
     
       6. An ampule shield according to claim 5, wherein the outer tube is provided with an outwardly extending lip and wherein the cap is provided with a corresponding recess for engaging the lip when the cap is assembled to the outer tube. 
     
     
       7. An ampule shield according to claim 6, used with an opened ampule containing a freeze-dried substance, wherein the center tube extends into the ampule and into the freeze-dried substance, the outer tube encompasses an outer surface of the ampule, and the cap closes the ampule within the shield, and wherein a syringe containing a diluent attaches to the standard male luer fitting. 
     
     
       8. A method of reconstituting a freeze-dried substance in an opened ampule which comprises utilizing the ampule shield of claim 7. 
     
     
       9. An ampule shield for use with an opened ampule, comprising: first tube means having an end for extending into an inside of an opened ampule;   second tube means, concentric with and attached to the first tube means, for surrounding outside walls of an opened ampule; and   cap means, attachable to the second tube means, for enclosing an opened ampule within the ampule shield.   
     
     
       10. An ampule shield according to claim 9, wherein the first tube means further includes engagement means, disposed at an end thereof opposite the end which extends into an opened ampule, for engaging an external device which can provide a diluent through the first tube means into an opened ampule.